I Tried a 10-Minute Cirque du Soleil Arm Workout, and It Almost Reduced Me to Tears

All I can say is, it's a good thing no one else was home when I attempted this Cirque du Soleil arms workout. I knew it would be tough (my core quakes just thinking about the Cirque du Soleil Extreme Abs Workout I tried a few months ago), but I can honestly say I didn't expect to fully collapse after five minutes. That was when, after five full minutes of shoulder-oriented plank variations, Cirque performers and NASM-certified personal trainers Elizabeth and Guilhem Cauchois introduced the "push-up descent and hold." I want to warn you about this move right now. It's likely to be the slowest push-up of your life, in which you have to hold at the bottom for a full 10 seconds before pushing back up. It was so intense, I actually shrieked out loud in my empty living room. Think that sounds dramatic? I would, too, but after completing the full workout, I'm just amazed I didn't burst into tears.

Was this workout challenging? Um, yes. Was it also fast, efficient, and effective? Yes, yes, and yes. If you want to work your arms, shoulders, and back in 10 minutes, no equipment required, give this one a try for yourself!